Arkansas Traveler

The other day I received a package in the mail from the Secretary of State of Arkansas.

When I opened it, I was delighted and surprised to discover that I had been made an Arkansas Traveler!

Like the Kentucky Colonel commission that I received a few years back, the Arkansas Traveler award is a state-level award and commission as a state goodwill ambassador. Unlike most other state awards, it's not a military title but rather a somewhat romantic and poetic title based upon a piece of Arkansas folklore.

The legend of the Arkansas Traveler revolves around a spirited exchange between a lost wanderer (said to be a Confederate colonel) and a local fiddler in the backwoods of Arkansas in the early 19th century. 

As the story goes, the wanderer asked for directions to a nearby town, but the fiddler, instead of providing clear instructions, ignored the colonel and began playing the opening bars of a popular tune called "The Arkansas Traveler." The colonel, in turn, completed the tune on his own fiddle, proving his musical prowess and earning the fiddler's respect and guidance. 

Over time, the tale evolved to symbolize the hospitable nature and rich folk culture of Arkansas, eventually inspiring the creation of the Arkansas Traveler Award. Today, the prestigious award recognizes individuals who have made "significant contributions to the state's cultural heritage, tourism industry, or economic development, and serves as an enduring reminder of the welcoming spirit and artistic legacy of Arkansas".

As a Kentucky Colonel and Arkansas Traveler, I'll do my best to represent these two great states.

As a matter of serendipity, I would end up visiting Arkansas shortly after receiving this illustrious award... but that's a matter for another blog post!